STATEMENT BY SENATOR GOLDEN ON VOTE ON THE NEW YORK 2013-2014 STATE BUDGET THE FIGHT FOR SUNY DOWNSTATE AND OUR DISABLED IS NOT OVER

Albany – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) has issued the following statement regarding his vote on this year’s New York State budget:

“I am especially proud of the commitment this budget makes to job creation and economic support for small business and entrepreneurs. As Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship, I am excited by the opportunities to expand incubator development throughout the State. I am also excited to see that we have saved the Brooklyn HealthWorks program which has helped over 1,000 small businesses, and that we have cleared barriers so more people to qualify for the Self Employment Assistance Program.

This budget additionally helps to create job growth through the extension of the film tax credit for five more years. This budget also restores prescription drug consumer choice, lifting the mandate to fill prescriptions via mail order if the price is the same at your neighborhood pharmacy.

Earlier this morning, I voted to approve this year’s New York State budget, but as far as I am concerned, negotiations are not over. In the days and weeks ahead, we must revisit and discuss the funding agreements for the State University of New York at Downstate, and the budget for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities.

We cannot immediately cease discussions and selflessly applaud this agreement. This budget has many key components that will bolster our economy, support families, and help New Yorkers get back into the workforce. However, we must revisit this budget plan so to reach an agreement that our most vulnerable and their families can be proud of as well.

We have taken many steps forward on behalf of all New Yorkers with this year’s budget. But again, and it is worth repeating, that if we do not address the health and disability issues I have mentioned, as a government, we will fail many.”